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Topic Review (Newest First)

10-15-2009 11:53 AM

wind_magic

Apologies to the O.P. I should have at least answered the question instead of helping the thread go further off topic!

The Chesapeake Bay in November ...

November is cold, but it isn't bitter cold, usually, but it is more than just light jacket cold. I guess you'd say it is coat cold, but not coat, hat, scarf, sweater, and long underwear cold. And better protection if you are going to be getting splashed with water of course.

I don't think you want to spend a November night on the Bay without heat, it is too cold for that, though if you don't mind roughing it then a sleeping bag and some blankets piled on would probably be enough to sleep.

It is very windy in November, the winds actually decrease as you near and pass the Solstice before they pick back up in February, and late autumn winds are gusty and not steady winds like they are in the winter months. December and January is usually a kind of quiet frost-sparkled wonderland around the Bay with periods of high steady winds that don't have (m)any wind breaks to stop them from sweeping through anchorages, but it isn't nearly as breezy or gusty as October and November. When it does blow in the depths of winter, however, it really blows.

The real threat of snow is in late February through early March, you would be very lucky to see a snow of any depth in November or even December. Ice storms are always more of a concern than snow.

Water in October is cold, in November is enough for exposure and hypothermia, and by January and February is rather painful. Fresh water freezes do sometimes happen in November, more often in December, and very often in January and early February with periods of thaw - the ground is equally frozen at those times, with periods of thaw/mud and crunchy ground alternating sometimes on a daily basis from noon to night. During these depths of winter you usually get wind for periods of days and calm for longer periods, and you usually get frozen fresh water for days in a row as well determined by whatever air mass is in the area.

By late winter the sun is warmer on your face and you can expect crocus and early daffodils by mid-February in patches, but the grass doesn't green up until March and April.

Hope that helps.

Edit - I'd start crossing the Potomac in the morning, it isn't a very fun intersection to be in at night, and there aren't (m)any good places to anchor for some distance on either side of the Potomac.

10-15-2009 11:40 AM

wind_magic

Personally I think boater poop is the least of the bay's problems.

10-15-2009 08:39 AM

eryka

Quote:

Originally Posted by NautiG

Now if they'd start going after all the liveaboards and cruisers who don't pump out. That's something I might be able to get behind.

Scott
Gemini Catamaran Split Decision

I like the way Annapolis handles this: make it easy to pump out (a pumpout boat comes to you for $5) and then require anchored boats to prove they've had a pumpout at least once a week. Seems to strike a good balance between anchoring rights and water pollution prevention.

But if I had my druthers I'd be going after chicken farms and fertilizer runoff first.

Still $250 is pretty expensive for enjoying some fresh fish on your own boat. But I've paid more for worse meals.

Now if they'd start going after all the liveaboards and cruisers who don't pump out. That's something I might be able to get behind.

Scott
Gemini Catamaran Split Decision

10-14-2009 08:26 PM

lapworth

I hate to stick up for the law but rember we almost lost all the rockfish population before. Thanks to regulations we are all able to still enjoy Trophy Season. Keep your lures on the bottom in november and good luck.

10-14-2009 08:03 PM

T37Chef

A similar story to Chefs...

My uncle was crabbing, while on the hook in the Wye. The DNR came for a peak. They had been keeping everything, then they would pick out the small, illegal catch and throw them back...unfortunatley the DNR thought differently and they were fined $250.00

10-14-2009 08:00 PM

T37Chef

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdqaltair

Fortunately, it seems I catch spot, croaker, and blues.

10-14-2009 07:43 PM

pdqaltair

Yes, I do understand. It just "feels" that way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fendertweed

actually, it's not ... legally, not even close ... fwiw (I'll spare you the legalese details). but it would be annoying.

Nearly was the wrong word. I only meant it is not straight forward "pull over, your driving too fast" and it should have been. To me the fillet rule is a safety net to catch those that would clean them on the way to the dock. Silly.

If you have a problem with someone, you either tell them, or you don't. He was waiting for more infractions, which he got, if in fact the fish were undersize in the first place. I wonder if he just knows he can always bag a sailor on that one. Like a cruiser was going to even compare with the habitual illegal fishing that abounds.

I guess I will keep taking my chances, because I'll be damned if I'm going to take fish home so I can eat them days later. Fortunately, it seems I catch spot, croaker, and blues.

10-14-2009 05:52 PM

NautiG

I think the dnr guy would pretty much have to don some scuba gear and place some undersized fish on the line for it to be entrapment. Although it sounds like if the sailors had kept the fish carcasses instead of dumping them overboard, they could have proved the fish were of size.

Maybe that's the lesson to be learned. Keep the stinky carcasses aboard until you dock. Still Chef Dave's story sounds like a waste of the government and a taxpayer/sailor's time and money. Seems like the dnr ought to have better things to do with their time.

Scott
Gemini Catamaran Split Decision

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